Special Thanks to norbertsmom for being an extraordinaire beta. Thank you, my friend!

So by now most of the players are in place, why are there Peacekeepers around the small district. Will Katniss continue to climb up in Peeta's window? Will anyone catch her? Is Katniss upset about the whole Darius thing and what exactly does Darius know?

I do not own the Hunger Games

Katniss knocked on the back door of the Mayor's home. When she left the Hob she told Gale she was going to the Mayor's house. She could have told him she was going to the Bakery but she didn't. After what happened with Darius she did not want to face Peeta just yet. She needed to cool off, gain her composure.

So she made the trip to Madge's house, but, took her time getting there. The house was more of a mansion by District Twelve standards. The three-story home was built to support a live-in staff. She hauled the strap of her game bag onto her shoulder. She knocked once more. She was still smarting over the incident with Darius.

As she knocked again she muttered, "Darius is such a jerk."

Sometimes she wanted to punch him in the face. She was mortified and practically poured her hot soup down her throat. Darius nearly discovered her thing for Peeta, in front of Gale of all people.

There was no way Katniss wanted Gale to know that she frequented Peeta's window at night, or that she spent the night with the youngest baker last night. She shuddered to think what Gale would do if he ever found out.

He already treated her like a kid sometimes, even though he wasn't as good with the bow as she was. Gale took longer to set up his shots and often missed his prey. He teased her about her preference for boys clothing and her inabilities to speak in public. She could just imagine what Gale would say about her infatuation with Peeta, who was the son of a Merchant, and whose mother was commonly known as the witch. His mother was the number one hater of all things Seam.

Her best friend would have a field day.

Gale distrusted the Merchants and had a low opinion of them. Partially because some of the Merchants, like Mrs. Mellark, supported the Capitol, and if there was one thing Gale loathed the most, it was the current government headed by President Snow. Gale would be relentless, spouting the evils of being seen with a Merchant. Katniss was not ready to confront him about Peeta, when she herself did not know what the heck was going on inside of her own head.

For now, she wanted to keep these two worlds separated.

The door swung open. Madge stood there in a pretty dress that looked like it was more costly than the wages Katniss made from trading year round.

"Where is Gale?" Madge's eyes searched the area around Katniss, expecting Gale to be hiding in the bushes or under the shade of the trees. Last week they had fought and this week she wanted to prove a point.

Katniss sighed at the sight of her quiet friend acting weird. Katniss found it funny that Madge only seemed to act this way when Gale was near. "Morning to you too, Madge."

"Oh," Madge turned slightly red. "I'm sorry, Katniss. It's just he was so mean to me, I wanted to prove to him I don't only wear nice stuff on reaping day."

Katniss did not say a word; she only shook her head. Gale was always baiting Madge to get a reaction out of her. They were always fighting.

"Where is he anyways?" Madge took the elastic headband with a pretty pink bow out of her blond hair and shook it out. She threw the thing off the foot of the steps, complaining that the elastic band hurt. She personally hated dressing like a baby doll, but it was the way the Capitol expected her to dress. She had to do her part to help her father maintain the façade of being a good and obedient citizen.

"He should be on his way. He was speaking to Darius." Katniss reached into her bag for the container of berries she'd collected for Madge and her family. "Here are your berries."

"My father loves Darius." Madge shook her head and rolled her eyes as she handed Katniss the money for the berries.

Katniss couldn't help scrunch her nose in disgust as she pocketed the money.

"They smell wonderful. I'm going to enjoy them as long as I can." Madge's mouth watered at the sight of them.

Katniss eyed the bow.

"Winter's coming; I think it's going to be a bad one."

"That's what Gale thinks." Katniss nodded.

"So what did Darius want with Gale?" Madge caught Katniss scowl. She was about to ask what happened.

Both girls stopped speaking, interrupted by the sound of glass shattering somewhere inside Madge's house. They were comfortable with not speaking. They grinned as they heard Arabella, one of Undersee's staff, apologize about the broken vase.

"Arabella is so nice, but she's a butterfingers. My dad doesn't mind her because she's so nice to my mom, however, she drives Mitcham, our head of staff crazy, except when Arabella makes her pies with the berries. Then all is forgiven."

The girls chuckled.

Arabella was a klutz, but she was hands down the best pie baker after Mr. Mellark in District Twelve.

Madge glanced at Katniss, recalling she wanted to know why Katniss made her infamous face. "Darius still teasing you?"

Katniss jerked her head in affirmation. "I just narrowly escaped today."

"I bet Gale joined in or started arguing with him." Madge sighed. "Gale is always sticking his nose in places where he shouldn't."

Katniss couldn't agree more.

Madge stood up stretched her neck, her eyes trained on the small garden path that led to the back entrance. "Knowing Gale, he got distracted by some girl at the Hob."

Katniss chuckled silently. Gale had gone after some girl at the Hob, but why he was late now she did not know, unless he was still arguing with Darius.

"Ugh boys," Madge muttered under her breath. "Why do they have to be so maddening?"

"Yeah, I know." Katniss understood instantly, boys complicated things. There was a matter of a debt she couldn't pay that led to her infatuation and subsequent inability to think logically. The swift answer and the look of disgust on Katniss face was real, because she cared for Gale, and he was her friend, but what she felt for Gale was nothing compared to what she felt for Peeta. It was on the tip of her tongue to divulge to Madge that she was into Peeta.

The dawning that she was into Peeta more than Gale caused her knees to shake.

"Katniss, you're okay?" Madge stood up. "You look a little pale."

"Yeah," Katniss nodded. "Yeah, I'm okay."

"You don't sound alright." Madge frowned. "Maybe you should come in and sit."

"It's okay. I've got to get going." Katniss took a deep breath. There was no excuse she could make because she had the best sleep of her life and a bowl of Sae's best warming her belly.

"Okay, if you're sure." Madge nodded, then her eyes zeroed in behind Katniss. "Gale's trying blend into the background. Doesn't he know he doesn't blend into his environment? He's one of the tallest boys in the District."

Katniss glanced behind her; it was true. Gale did not blend in. She chuckled. "I'll see you tomorrow in school."

"Hey, if you run across any rabbits can you please save me one. Arabella wants to make rabbit stew."

"Okay." Katniss moved away from the house, and she quietly made her way toward Gale.

"What's Madge doing now and why is she wearing that ridiculous outfit?" Gale asked in disgust.

Katniss shook her head, thinking this was the reason she could never tell Gale about Peeta. He would never accept him, just like he was not accepting of Madge.

"Hey, here's your half of the money."

"Thanks. Mellark's?"

Katniss had to reign in her response. She wasn't sure she was ready to see Peeta after last night, but nodded anyway, and they took off to the back door of the bakery. The closer they got to the bakery the stronger the sweet smell of bread permeated the air. The bell of the bakery front door could be heard, happily jingling, as patrons entered and left.

Mellark's was a long-standing business in District Twelve, passed down from one generation to the next. The Mellark men were distinctly known for their wide shoulders and gentle spirits. A girl had not been born in generations, and it was hoped that the eldest Mellark son, who opted to join his wife's family business, be the one to bring a girl into the family.

At the moment it was just Peeta and Rye working the back of the bakery, while their father manned the front. The morning rush was just ending. Thankfully their mother was out making deliveries, a thinly veiled excuse to badger and bother the other Merchants. Their mother was a bully and she liked to antagonize the other wives with her friends.

Peeta was trying to focus in on his job, but his mind wandered to Katniss and their night and how he wanted to find that squirrel and plant a big wet kiss on it's furry little face.

Rye looked at his brother. "You seem happy today?"

His ruddy face turned redder. "I had a good night's sleep."

"I bet!" Rye lifted an eyebrow. He had a slight hangover. His head hurt, everything tasted like sawdust, and the smallest sound was like nails on a chalkboard.

"Sorry about ditching the party last night."

"You did the right thing, Peeta." Rye slid a tray of bread into the oven.

Peeta watched his brother drink water. "You still look hungover."

Rye grinned then winked. "Yeah, but now I'm paying for it."

Peeta wondered what his brother meant by that. "Why did mom open today? It's Sunday."

"Mom caught me sneaking into my room." Rye uttered, "This was my punishment."

Peeta continued to work.

Their mother did what she pleased and their father never contradicted her, even when it was disastrous for the bakery.

"So how well did you sleep?" Rye wiggled his eyebrows.

His brother was acting so weird. Peeta ignored him, his brother had bizarre tendencies. Rye acting looney was nothing new to him. Peeta continued to remove the cookies from the cooling rack.

The knock on the back door came. Rye's face brightened. "Juicy time."

Peeta cut Rye a strange look. "What do you mean, juicy time?"

Rye held an impish look on his face, right before he opened up the door. His face soured. "Hawthorne."

"Mellark, we're here to trade. Where's your father?"

Rye folded his arms across his chest. "My father is busy, so you can trade with me or leave. Up to you Hawthorne."

Peeta shook his head at his brother. From where he stood he had an unobstructed view of Katniss. She looked flustered and did not make eye contact with him. Peeta's head hung low, but he knew she was not a talkative person by nature. Then he recalled that she did not like making eye contact with people and he thought to himself she must be feeling bad.

Peeta had the best night of his life last night. He woke up whistling, smiling, and not even his mother and her antagonistic ways could dampen his spirits. He was up before anyone as he had snuck her out of the bakery. He even managed to send her home with something, though she was upset with him and flatly told him she wasn't a charity case.

Wisely, he bartered for berries and learned he needed to be prudent with Katniss.

It was one thing to watch her from afar. It was another thing to be able to have her close. As he snuck a look at her, Peeta couldn't believe he caught Katniss falling out of the tree last night or that she saved him from that wonderfully pesky squirrel. He recalled the way she felt snuggled up to him, her head pressed up against his chest as if listening to his heart.

Closing his eyes, he could still feel her.

She smelled like flowers and her skin was incredibly soft. He liked the way her head fit right under his chin as if she was a piece of a puzzle that he was missing. He knew now what made her eyes look like molten silver. She looked serene and beautiful as she slept. His only problem last night was how she'd woken up with a nightmare. He wondered how often she had those, concern over her multiplied now that he had gotten a glimpse into her life.

He wanted to speak to her but did not know how with Gale Hawthorne standing not even five feet away. He watched his brother try to outsmart him. Peeta shook his head. Gale was no uneducated fool. He was smart, smarter than what people gave him credit for and Peeta would never detract that from him. Straightening his broad shoulders, he had to proceed with caution. He glanced at Katniss who looked like she had just averted her eyes; Peeta could have sworn she was gazing at him.

He quietly continued to work, piping decorations onto the cookies. It occurred to him that he should take a page from Katniss' book and be brave. He paused, taking three cookies and piped flowers on them, then piped a special message on the fourth one for Katniss. Taking a loaf, he wrapped it up. Peeta planned on using his brother and Hawthorne arguing to be able to speak to her. He simply slipped by, and came to stand outside.

"Hey," Peeta spoke to her.

Katniss eyes widened. She grabbed the berries and shoved them at him. Her heart rate doubled at the sight of his strong forearms covered with flour. Arms that held her the night before. Shyly, she glanced at him.

"Thank you," Peeta said, taking the container with the berries.

"No problem," Katniss squeaked out. She frowned, wondering what happened to her voice. She never acted this way.

"I hope you had a nice night," Peeta said shyly.

She felt her face heat up.

"Here, I made these for saving my life against that horrid squirrel."

Katniss looked at the small package of cookies and the loaf. "What?"

Peeta knew what he was doing. He wanted a friendship with her and he was going to use any method or means possible at his disposal. He knew Katniss would not accept charity from anyone, so he made this about a service. She was a tough negotiator, and in this instance, he was going to use this to his advantage. "You know, for helping me last night. I don't think I would have been able to make it home with that beast in the way."

Katniss was puzzled. She looked at the bag then to Peeta. This contest of wills went on for several seconds until she took the cookies. "I'll get the little bugger the next time."

Her words were murmured and caused him to grin. "That squirrel is mean."

Katniss looked to the floor before she answered. "He's got incredible aim for a fur ball."

"Not as incredible as you. You get them through the eye every time."

Katniss blushed.

"What did you say, Hawthorne?" Rye's voice was low and threatening.

Peeta saw the way both his brother's and Gale's hands fisted. He slipped passed Gale and Rye who were staring each other down. He sighed. "Rye dad wants the squirrels for dinner. Our new sister is coming over and she wants dad's special squirrel pie."

"What did you buy?" Rye focused in on Katniss.

Peeta quickly tried to divert his brother as he and Gale forgot their quarrel and focused in on Katniss who mutely stood with a scowl on her face. "Oh, I asked Katniss to get me some berries last week."

"Where's the bread?" Gale asked.

"In, her game bag," Peeta said. "I gave her a nut one. Why are you treating her as if she committed a crime? I wanted to make something special for my sister-in-law."

At the sound of Peeta's voice, both of them backed away from Katniss.

Rye nodded and so did Gale. Gale stuffed the bread Rye handed him inside of his bag.

"Come on Catnip. We've got to get going."

Katniss said nothing, only walked away, but she wanted to look back at Peeta, to acknowledge him. As she did so she spotted the squirrel eyeing her from a branch in the apple tree, a nut in its hands. She wanted to make a face, but not with Gale around. Besides, she wanted to eat what Peeta had given her.

She and Gale walked in silence, each in their own thoughts. When they had reached the Seam, Gale turned his head to look at her.

"Do you speak to Mellark?"

"No," Katniss tried to keep her calm.

"How did Peeta ask you for the berries?"

"Gale, you were there when I gave the berries to him, didn't you see it?"

"No," Gale admitted. "Here's your half of the bread."

"Nah thanks. I've got a whole loaf; you should keep it for your brothers and Posy."

Gale did not object, putting the bread back in his own bag.

"See you later Catnip," Gale said taking the path to his house.

Katniss went home and once she arrived she found it empty. Putting down her game bag she sat in the chair and opened up the brown paper bag Peeta had given her. She took out the cookies one by one. She smiled as she saw the Primrose he piped for her sister, the Lily he made for her mother and the Katniss flower he made for her. It was the last one that made her gasped. It was a picture of his window and underneath the caption, Always.

She understood the hidden message.

Peeta would always be available for her, but as she stared at it Katniss thought of Darius. She took the cookie and ate it quickly. She decided right then and there she was never going to go to his window again.